Starter mechanism.



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H. 1.10ERDEN, STARTER MECHANISM,

APPLICATION FILED NOV-21,1916.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

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firm i sci HARRY JOEEDEN, OF 1363 ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGITOR OF ONE-FOURTH T0 LAMONT S. 'WREN, 0L5 HAW'LLHOBNE, CALIFORNIA.

STARTER MECHANISM;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 16, 191?.

Application filer November 21, 1916. Serial lilo. 132,533.

, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an automatic clutch, and pertains especially to a clutch suitable for automobile starters.

It is an object of this invention to pro vide a mechanism which automatically clutches gearing to a shaft upon application of power thereto, and then automatically unclutches said gearing from the shaft when the application of power ceases.

It is a further object ofmy invention to provide an automatic clutch mechanism which permits a starting motor to pick up speed before clutching it to the engine.

Thus, when applied to an automobile starter, upon throwing into operation the starter motor, theengine is automatically operatively connected thereto after the motor has started; and when the motor stops, the engine is automatically unclutched therefrom. By the use of my mechanism, the necessity of manually shifting gears, clutches and the like and releasing the same is avoided.

In addition to the broader features of my invention there are certain details of construction, whereby ease and certainty of operation as well as simplicity and strength of structure are obtained.

I accomplish these objects by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is an elevation partly in section of my improved clutch.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the one way clutch.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the starter clutch element.

1 have herein shown my clutch mechanism applied to an automobile starter, in which A is the starter motor, and B an automobile engine. interposed between the motor and engine is my clutch mechanism, the one way clutch element being designated by C and the starter clutch by D.

Reerring more particularly to the drawing the starter motor A is provided with a shaft '1 reduced in diameter at the end, and

having mounted thereon a collar 5 which is secured to the shaft by a set screw 6. Shaft 1 is provided with a longitudinally eXtending key seat 7, in which is disposed a key 8 pivot-ally secured to the shaft at one end, as indicated by 9, so that the key may be partially projected from the seat. A tubular guide sleeve 10 is loosely mounted on the shaft 4 for rotation. Sleeve 10 isprovided with a helical thread 11 on its surface. The construction is such that on the shaft 1 starting to rotate the inertia of sleeve 10 tends to cause it to lag. To hold the sleeve 10 against free rotation, I have provided a helical spring 12 secured to collar 5 at one end and to sleeve 10 at the other end. Upon shaft 4 starting to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, sleeve 10 lags and the spring 12 is unwound until the tension is sufficient to hold sleeve 10 against further relative rotation.

Loosely mounted on sleeve 10 is a sleeve 13 which is provided with interior threads 14 meshing with threads 11. Sleeve 13 tends to lag upon rotation of shaft 4 and rotate with sleeve 10. When the shaft t starts rotation sleeves 10 and 13 lag and rotate together relative to shaft 1. Spring 12 damps the rotation of sleeve 10, causing sleeve 13 to rotate with respect thereto. The result is that sleeves 10 and 13 being secured to each other by threads, sleeve 13 will move longitudinally of sleeve 10 and shaft 4. When the shaft 4 starts rotation in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, sleeves l0 and 13 first rotate without relative longitudinal movement, permitting the motor to pick up speed for about one revolution. Next, the sleeve 13 rotates relative to sleeve 10 and rides outwardly thereon toward the end of shaft 4 until it reaches the end of the thread, where it remains until the shaft 4 begins to cease its rotation. When shaft 4; slows down the strain on spring 12 is re lieved due to inertia of sleeves l0 and 13, and the latter starts to wind. The sleeves 10 and 13 rotate at a higher speed than the instant speed of shaft 4 due to the winding of the spring and inertia of the sleeves. When spring 12 has wound sleeve l3wcontinues its relative movement and rides along the threads moving longitudinally toward the gear 17. Sleeve 13 is provided with an inwardly extending flange which closely fits the shaft 1 and rides over key 8. Dis posed under the free end of key 8 is a compression spring 16 tending to project the key from seat 7 Mounted on the shaft 4: is an idle gear 17 which has a key seat 18 for registration with key seat 7. Collar 19 fixed to shaft =1 holds gear 17 against lateralmovement. Upon movement of sleeve 13 away from gear 17, and the flange 15 toward pivot 9 of key 8, the spring 16 forces the key into key seat 18, thereby locking the gear 17 to shaft 4. Upon movement toward gear 17 the key 8 is retracted from seat 18 and the gear released.

Loosely mounted on shaft 20 of the automobile engine is a gear 21 meshing with gear 17. Secured to shaft 20 is a friction collar 22. Gear 21 has an annular shoulder 23 which overhangs collar, 22. Loosely mounted on the shaft between collar 22 and the gear 21 is a plate 2%. Pivotally mounted on plate 24 are eccentric clutch arms 25. The eccentric faces of the clutch arms are disposed forfrictional engagement with the cylindrical face of col lar 22. lhe opposite ends of the arms are provided with slots 26 in which are disposed pins 27 which are secured to the gear 21. Upon power being applied to gear 21 the gear moves with respect to plate 2 1, and

pulls clutch arms in engagement with the collar 22, thereby clutching the gear to the shaft. The engine is then turned over, and when it begins to fire the shaft 20 picks up speed, moves faster than gear 21 and thereby unc-lutches collar 22 from the arms 25. A one way clutch of any other type may be used if desired.

It is evident that upon placing the starter motor in operation, shaft d first starts rotation,. then gear 17 is automatically clutched to the end of shaft 4. The rotation of gear 17 causes gear 21 to rotate and the latter is then automatically clutched to the end of shaft 4. When the engine starts the one way clutch unclutches gear 21 from shaft 20 andtheengine is then free of the starting mechanism. Upon stopping the starter motor, gear 17 is unclutched from shaft 1, placing the parts in position for turning the engine over the next time.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted thereon; and means for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto, comprising a clutch operating member mounted for rotation with respect to said shaft by inertia, gpide means to move said member longitudinaly upon rotation of said member, a clutch member splined to said shaft, normally disengaged from said gear, and means disposed to move said clutch member on longitudinal movement of said; operating member, thereby driving the latter from said shaft.

2. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted on said shaft; and means for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto; comprising guide means mounted on said shaft having a helical thread, a member mounted on said guide means for rotation by inertia and in mesh with said thread for movement longitudinally of said shaft upon rotation of said member, a clutch member splined to said shaft, normally disengaged from said gear, and means disposed to move said clutch member on longitudinal movement of said operating member in engagement with said gear, thereby drivingthe latter from said shaft.

3. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted thereon; and means for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft on power being applied thereto, comprising a clutch operating member mounted for rotation on said shaft by inertia, guide means on said shaft actuated by inertia to move said member longitudinally upon rotation of the latter, a clutch member splined to said shaft and normally disengaged from said gear, means disposed to move said clutch member on longitudinal movementof said operating member in engagement with said gear, thereby driving the latter from said shaft. and resilient means to retract said guide means secured to the latter and to said shaft.

an idle gear mounted on said shaft; and means for automatically clutchingsaid gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto, comprising guide means on said shaft actuated by inertia having a helical thread, a member mounted on said guide means for rotation by inertia and in mesh with said helical thread for movement lon- 4. The combination of a driving shaft;

gitudinally of said shaft upon rotation of said member, a clutch member splined to said shaft and'normally disengaged from said gear, means disposed to move said clutch member on longitudinal movement of said operating member in engagement with said gear,-thereby driving the latter from said shaft; and resilient means to re- .tract said guide means secured to the latter and said shaft.

The combination of a driving shaft; anidle gear mounted thereon; and means for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto, comprising a guide sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a helical thread thereon, resilient means securing said guide sleeve to said shaft, a clutch sleeve rotatably mounted on said guide sleeve and having a thread in mesh with said .helical JlSO thread, a clutch member splined to said shaft and normally disengaged from said gear, and means disposed to move said clutch member on longitudinal movement of the said clutch sleeve.

6. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted thereon; means for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto, said means comprising a clutch operating member mounted for rotation with respect to said shaft by inertia, guide means to move said member longitudinally upon rotation of the latter, a clutch member splined to said shaft and normally disengaged from said gear, means disposed to move said clutch member in engagement with said gear on a longitudinal movement of said operating member, thereby driving the latter from said shaft; :1 gear in mesh with said idle gear; a shaft upon which said last mentioned gear is loosely mounted; and a one way clutch disposed to engage said last mentioned gear with said last mentioned shaft.

7. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted on said shaft; means for auton'iatically clutching said gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto, comprising guide means mounted on said shaft having a helical thread, a member mounted on said guide means for rotation by inertia and in mesh with said thread for movement longitudinally of said shaft upon rotation of said member, a clutch member splined to said shaft and normally disengaged from said gear, means disposed to move. said clutch member on longitudinal movement of said operating member in engagement with said gear, thereby driving the latter from said shaft; :1 gear in mesh with said idle gear; a shaft upon which said last men tioned' gear is loosely mounted; and a one way clutch disposed to engage said last mentioned gear with said last mentioned shaft.

8. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted thereon; means for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft on power being applied thereto, comprising :1 clutch operating member mounted for rotation on said shaft by inertia, guide means on said shaft actuated by inertia to move said member longitudinally upon rotation of the latter, a clutch member splined to said shaft and normally disengaged from said gear, means disposed to move said clutch member on longitudinal movement of said operating member in engagement with said' gear, thereby driving the latter from said shaft, resilient means to retract said guide means secured to the latter and to said shaft; a gear in mesh with said idle gear; a shaft upon which said last mentioned'gear is loosely mounted; and a one way clutch disposed to engage said last mentioned gear with said last mentioned shaft.

9. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted on said shaft; means for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto, comprising guide means on said shaft actuated by inertia having a helical thread, a member mounted on said guide means for rotation by inertia and in mesh with said helical thread for movement longitudinallv of said shaft upon rotation of said member, a clutch member spiined to said shaft and normally disengaged from said gear, means disposed to move said clutch member on longitudinal movement of said operating'memher in engagement with said gear, thereby driving the latter from said shaft, resilientmeans to retract said guide means secured to the latter and'said shaft; a gear in mesh with said idle gear; a shaft upon which said last mentioned gear is loosely mounted; anda one way clutch disposed to engage said last mentioned gear with said last mentioned shaft.

10. The combination of a driving shaft; an idle gear mounted thereon; means "for automatically clutching said gear to said shaft upon power being applied thereto,

comprising a guide sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a helical thread thereon, resilient means securing said guide sleeve to said shaft, a clutch sleeve rotatably mounted on said guide sleeve and having a thread in mesh with said helical thread, a clutch member splined to said shaft and normally disengaged from said gear, means disposed to be moved by said clutch member on longitudinal movement of said clutch sleeve to operate said clutch member; a gear iirniesh with said idle gear; a shaft upon which said last mentioned gear is loosely mounted; and a one way clutch disposed to engage said last mentioned gear with said last mentioned shaft.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2nd day of November, 1916.

HARRY J. JOERDEN.

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